Renovation permits and contractor licences in Quebec

Trades that need a licence in Quebec

• General contracting and renovation

  Anyone who does residential renovation work for you must hold an RBQ licence, and that licence must include the subclasses required for the work you are hiring them for.

  Sources:RBQ – Choosing a contractor⁠(opens in a new tab)RBQ – Work requiring a licence⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Electrical work

  Electrical work for others must be done by a contractor holding the appropriate licence. The CMEQ qualifies electrical contractors on behalf of the Quebec government.

  Sources:RBQ – Electrical work: licence⁠(opens in a new tab)RBQ – List of licence subclasses⁠(opens in a new tab)CMEQ – A licence is mandatory⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Plumbing

  Plumbing and heating contractors are qualified and licensed by the CMMTQ on behalf of the Quebec government. Only give plumbing work to a contractor holding the licence.

  Sources:RBQ – Plumbing: licence⁠(opens in a new tab)CMMTQ – Our qualification mandate⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Gas and fuel-burning appliances

  Gas work requires a contractor with the appropriate RBQ licence, and the contractor’s employees must hold a competency certificate issued by Emploi-Québec.

  Sources:RBQ – Gas⁠(opens in a new tab)

• Certified trades

  Workers in the construction industry covered by Act R-20 need a CCQ competency certificate. The Act excludes maintenance, repair, renovation and alteration work done for an individual, on their own account and for strictly personal, non-profit purposes, on a dwelling they live in. The contractor still needs an RBQ licence.

  Sources:CCQ – Exclusions from Act R-20⁠(opens in a new tab)RBQ – Choosing a contractor⁠(opens in a new tab)

• New-home building and warranty

  Contractors who build or sell new residential buildings must be accredited by the administrator of the mandatory Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings.

  Sources:RBQ – Guarantee plan for new residential buildings⁠(opens in a new tab)Guarantee Plan for New Residential Buildings (Government of Québec)⁠(opens in a new tab)

Before you hire a contractor in Quebec

Practical checks you can do yourself, using official tools where they exist.

1. 1

   Ask for the contractor’s RBQ licence number and check it in the RBQ licence holder registry. Make sure the licence includes the subclasses your job needs.

   Official lookup: RBQ – Check a contractor’s licence⁠(opens in a new tab)

2. 2

   For electrical work, also look the contractor up in the CMEQ directory.

   Official lookup: CMEQ – Find a contractor⁠(opens in a new tab)

3. 3

   For plumbing or heating work, check the CMMTQ member directory.

   Official lookup: CMMTQ – Member directory⁠(opens in a new tab)

4. 4

   Look the business up with the OPC’s merchant information tool before you sign.

   Official lookup: OPC – Get information about a merchant⁠(opens in a new tab)

5. 5

   Compare written quotes from several contractors, then insist on a detailed written contract with a schedule.

6. 6

   If possible, pay no deposit or only a small one, and never sign under pressure.

7. 7

   Buying or building a new home? Check that the builder is accredited under the guarantee plan.

   Official lookup: GCR – Directory of accredited businesses⁠(opens in a new tab)

8. 8

   Ask your city or borough whether your project needs a permit before work starts.